Story Highlights

MAKING NEWS: It's always cool when USA TODAY's work is cited by another news organization. Those occasional nods – "first reported by USA TODAY" (or The New York Times, or CNN, etc.) -- are more than just a professional courtesy. They signal an exclusive that made news, advanced the reporting or added insights found nowhere else.

Earlier Sunday, Klemko had posted an interview with team doctor James Andrews, who said he never officially cleared RGIII to re-enter a game last month after he injured his knee. "I've been a nervous wreck letting him come back as quick as he has,'' Andrews told Klemko.

Klemko's interview became even more important when coach Mike Shanahan allowed RGIII to stay in Sunday's game despite an obvious re-injury to the knee. Shanahan's handling of RGIII dominated the post-game interviews, becoming quite literally the story of the loss to Seattle. "You have to go with your gut,'' Shanahan said in the face of widespread criticism.

We had plenty of follow-up coverage this morning, including a column by Jarrett Bell ("At some point on Sunday, before Griffin lay on the turf writhing in pain, Shanahan needed to trust his eyes — rather than his heart and instincts — and take the kid out").

There was also a spirited debate between USA TODAY columnist Christine Brennan and former Redskins star Darrell Green on WUSA's local Game On special after the loss.

Christine argued that Shanahan needlessly risked Griffin's future. A "big, big deal,'' she said; Green countered vehemently that for players, the future is not as important as winning "today's game."

We should be ready with graphics to show the damage if Griffin's injury is worse than expected.

Meanwhile, fans can make up their own minds -- including perhaps the fact that the Seahawks clearly dominated for three quarters, with or without RGIII!

RHEE ACTION: This Tuesday night's PBS Frontline report on educator Michelle Rhee revives questions about the validity of Washington, D.C., school test scores following extensive investigations two years ago by a team of USA TODAY reporters (Marisol Bello, Greg Toppo, Jack Gillum and editor Linda Mathews). Jack and Linda have moved on to other venues, although Linda remains focused on the issue in retirement. Marisol, meanwhile, appears on tonight's program.

FUTURE PRODUCT PLACEMENT: There's been a lot of buzz on Facebook lately about the Back to the Future films, including the fact that Michael J. Fox's character, Marty McFly, arrives in 2015, which means the future is closer than we or even the Mayans think!

(For younger folks, McFly travels in a DeLorean, which was a cool car designed by … oh never mind).

But for those who remember, here's a shot of the Oct. 22, 2015, newspaper used in the film:

Hmmm. Note that circulation is over 3 billion (we wish), the price is $6 (inflation hasn't gotten that bad – yet), and one of the stories is "pitcher suspended for bionic arm use.'' (Bob Nightengale says that still doesn't disqualify him!)

Filmmakers didn't foresee the blue-ball logo, though.

For the record, USA TODAY has shown up in hundreds of films, including star turns in Total Recall (where it was called MARS TODAY), and Minority Report (where it was a flexible e-reader version).

OTHER GOOD STUFF: Friday's story by Jackie Kucinich on gun laws dominating the first days of Congress received wide pickup by Politico'sMike Allen, ABC's The Note and NBC's First Read. … Diet writer Nanci Hellmich turned around a smart Q&A with experts at the CDC and Harvard about that surprising being-overweight-isn't-so-bad study, making for timely online reading on a post-holiday weekend.

And Andrea Mandell tweeted from the Red Carpet at the Palm Springs Film Festival (can you imagine?), talking to the actress who would be Queen, Helen Mirren, about her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her piece of sidewalk is near Stallone and Colin Firth. "I'm surrounded by hunky, fabulous men,'' Mirren said.

That's it for now. Thanks everyone...

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British actress Helen Mirren poses alongside her new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Jan. 3 in Los Angeles.(Photo: Chris Pizzello, Invision, via AP)